Description
Interleukin (IL)-5 is produced and secreted by T cells and mast cellsa critical,and is the important regulator of eosinophils and a therapeutic target for asthma.
The pharmaceutical inhibition of IL-5 has been shown to reduce eosinophil counts and ameliorate asthmatic symptoms in studies on animal models of allergy as well as in human clinical trials.
There are currently three commercially available IL-5 inhibitors in the United States.
These include reslizumab (trade name Cinqair), benralizumab (trade name Fasenra), and mepolizumab (trade name Nucala).
All three medications have been approved by the FDA for the treatment of severe eosinophilic asthma